A Sea of Pine: Christmas Tree Picking

The run up to Christmas is both exciting and stressful for all of us. But the joy it brings always outweigh the negatives and Christmas tree picking definitely eases the stress of gift-buying. Well, at least for me it is.

We’ve been going to this particular Christmas tree farm for about four years now. It’s one of my favourite Christmas traditions we do in our little family. There’s just something magical about walking through hundreds upon hundreds of pine trees and then of course, looking for that one particular special tree to take home with you.

Like the past years, we usually go with T’s best friend F and his family. This year, was no different.

It’s a lovely Christmas activity to do with little ones as pictured above. Since we’ve been having awful weather lately, there were lots of muddy puddles to stomp on before the hunt for the perfect tree commenced.

There are different kinds of varieties of pine trees at the Devon Christmas tree farm. Do visit if you’re in the area. It’s a family run business and as mentioned a really fun activity to do with your family. Anyway, I’ve only managed to take photos of three kinds of pine trees and they have more than that.

The Nordman Fir

This tree apparently originates from Russia. The sign reads:

“With its easy care credentials, its the most popular of all the firs. Soft, luxuriant foliage makes it easy and pet-friendly. Attractive to the eye, it has forest-green glossy needles. Originating from the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia, Southern Russia. This tree has great needle retention and can be bushy or narrow, to suit any space.”

Fraser Fir

“A funky tree which has very good needle retention. With its angular branches it has a quirky character. Named after the botanist John Fraser, who explored southern Appalachians (in the east of the USA) in the late 1700s. The soft, dense needles are silvery-green with a rich balsam fragrance.

Blue Spruce

“The spiky Blue Spruce has fair needle retention if well watered and a piney scent. This tree has either a blue tinge or blue-green tinge to its needles. Originally found in the Rocky Mountains of the USA. The prickly needles will protect your fragile decorations from pets”

In the end though, we didn’t even pay attention on what kind of tree it was. We just roamed around the tree farm until we found the “perfect” tree without even knowing whether it was a Norman Fir, a Fraser Fir or a Blue Spruce.

We later found our tree deep within the pine tree woods. It was a pity some of these trees grew so close together that their shape was compromised because of the lack of space. That’s where we found out tree, thankfully not out of shape, otherwise we wouldn’t have chosen it.

The “one”

We then put T’s name on it and called for the man with the chain saw to hack it off. While our tree was getting ready for us to take home, T had some lovely hot chocolate.

Then it was time to go home.

We ended up with a Blue Spruce without knowing it, as I’ve mentioned we choose our tree blindly, not really paying attention to the kind, more like if we like it, it’s ours! 😉

We got the tree on Saturday, it’s Wednesday now. They say it has a blue(ish) tinge, but don’t really see it. We all love the shape and the look of it. What I can say though is that it’s the “thirstiest” pine tree we’ve ever had. You have to water it full every single day. Our other trees still had water in it the next day, this one – let’s just, it’s a bit high maintenance more than the others. But we still love it!

5 Comments

I used to be a strictly real tree person. About 5 years ago, my wife convinced me to get an artificial tree and I have to admit the low maintenance has grown on me. Of course, now she misses the real trees.

Artificial all the way baby!! I wouldn’t remember to water it, the falling needles would drive me nuts, and then the disposal? fugettabouit. LOL. But, I love the smell of a fresh tree – and think yours is lovely!

Aw so pleased you got out to do this, I know we talked about meeting up at Cedar Croft to do something together but in the end we were swayed by the £10 trees in Trago, they are amazing value and wonderful but I miss the family outing and excitement of visiting a farm to choose mine. Thank you for sharing your fun with me on #CountryKids

I remembered too, but it was after we went! Yes, it a lovely outing especially for the kids. But I also understand why some people just buy it near them. It takes us almost an hour to drive up to that farm. X

“Accept the children the way we accept trees—with gratitude, because they are a blessing—but do not have expectations or desires. You don’t expect trees to change, you love them as they are.” - Isabelle Allende